Diamondback .308 Pistol?

[EugeneStoner]

Had a great time at the NRA Guns and Gear show this weekend.  Needless to say there were tons of cool firearms, celebrities and other great merch.  I'm always a fan of higher-end stuff (went all fanboy at the Knight's Armament booth) but also like less expensive guns if they are acceptably accurate and reliable.  Diamondback's DB10PB13 .308 pistol seems like maybe it falls into this category and kind of grabbed me such that I'm considering buying one (https://diamondbackfirearms.com/portfolio/db10pb13/ and:)

I've posted questions about short(er)-barreled .308s here before and understand that they will be louder than a more conventional .308 rifle with a 16"+ barrel. I am still however kind of thinking about buying one of these, especially since I do not think I'm ready to try a.308 pistol build yet.  Does anyone own one of these or another DB .308 and/or have any other kind of insight into this company's .308s? Also, is a .308 pistol actually enjoyable to shoot and something you would take out for a fun day at the range or more of a "last resort/backup" type weapon?  The video makes it look like it would be fun but I kind of wonder...

I know their DB9 pistols have a bit of a checkered history (looks like they have a new Gen 4 version that may be an improvement)  but have found some resources online that seem to indicate their that.308 rifles are pretty solid. I also know there are other .308 pistol options on the market that are better quality, including some Armalite .308 pistols that were manufactured a few years ago (and cost $2K+) but this about half the price or less and if it's decent I'll be happy.

[jtallen83]

3 minutes ago, EugeneStoner said:

Also, is a .308 pistol actually enjoyable to shoot and something you would take out for a fun day at the range or more of a "last resort/backup" type weapon?

They are a blast to shoot, a can will solve that loud issue. I have a Sig p716 that I would not recommend, has had malfunction issues, needs cleaned before a hundred rounds when using a can or it balks, and the recoil is stiffer than any of my other 308 AR's. Just did a build on an Aero receiver set with a Sig 716 12.5 inch barrel and an SB3A for a brace. It requires a custom gas tube but is a joy to shoot, fairly mild and never misses a beat. Don't let building a 308AR intimidate you, really not that difficult if you research and plan properly. Here are the details of my favorite pistol;

 

[EugeneStoner]

Thanks JT, good info. 

[shooterrex]

I had a DS  Arms fal style pistol in 308.  It was fun to shoot. Not really much louder than rifle. This was before pistol braces came into use. I sold it to a friend who made it In to a SBR.  I might have to get another one if someone makes a folding pistol brace for them.

[98Z5V]

Here's a 13.5" Armalite barrel, pinned/welded muzzle brake taking it to 16.1" OAL.  It's not a pistol config, and has a buttstock, but it just runs and runs. 

I'd hunt this gun out to 300 yards, no questions asked.  Wouldn't even think twice.  They're more than just range toys.  This thing rocks.

[EugeneStoner]

19 hours ago, 98Z5V said:

I'd hunt this gun out to 300 yards

This particular use case makes sense and puts these pistols in the "more than a cool range toy" category.  80%+ of the Whitetail hunting I do in WI every November w/the crew involves shooting that is well within 300yds.  As one of the kids/whippersnappers I'm often charged w/driving swamps and other thick terrain where visibility and shooting is usually even closer in (100 yds or less) and a lightweight rifle w/a short barrel...oops, I mean pistol would be perfect.  I'm thinking Magpul Pro irons will be fine, no need for glass. 

Edited April 30, 2019 by EugeneStoner

[EugeneStoner]

 

21 hours ago, shooterrex said:

Not really much louder than rifle.

Thanks for sharing this Rex.   I saw a Youtube video of a guy who said .308 pistols are very unpleasant to shoot w/out hearing protection (like getting hit by a UFC fighter or something) and it was a concern for me.  I'm not planning to do alot of operation w/out hearing protection but it's good to know I won't go deaf after just a couple of rounds without it.  I get enough complaints about the TV being too loud from my wife as it is.

[EugeneStoner]

On 4/29/2019 at 6:28 PM, jtallen83 said:

Here are the details of my favorite pistol;

How much did all the parts you listed for your Aero/Sig Shorty 308 pistol build cost @jtallen83? Also, how many hours of work?  I'm fine with approximations and just looking for ballpark figures.

[jtallen83]

12 minutes ago, EugeneStoner said:

How much did all the parts you listed for your Aero/Sig Shorty 308 pistol build cost @jtallen83? Also, how many hours of work?  I'm fine with approximations and just looking for ballpark figures.

Work time was minimal, doubt it was two hours altogether, the thing ran from the get go. I never track the money, I know it was inexpensive relative to other builds. Most of the parts were bought on sales or were blems like the receiver set. Rough estimate just under $1,000, if one were to just buy all the parts in one weekend it would cost more. This includes the Cerakote job, the sling and the 51T muzzle device but not the optics.

[EugeneStoner]

2 minutes ago, jtallen83 said:

Work time was minimal, doubt it was two hours altogether, the thing ran from the get go. I never track the money, I know it was inexpensive relative to other builds. Most of the parts were bought on sales or were blems like the receiver set. Rough estimate just under $1,000, if one were to just buy all the parts in one weekend it would cost more. This includes the Cerakote job, the sling and the 51T muzzle device but not the optics.

Thanks for the info .